Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Proceedings of  KUST, Iraq Conference   2022                            Pp. 31-43
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/KUST.3

Full Paper PDF

 

Students’ Perceptions of the Use and Efficacy of Error Correction Symbols on Written
Drafts
: A Study at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences Ibra, Oman

   Kodhandaraman Chinnathambi
English Language Centre
University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra
Sultanate of Oman
Corresponding author Email: ckodhandaraman@gmail.com

  Jahad Said Hamed Said Al Harthi
  English Language Centre
University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra
Sultanate of Oman

 Latha Anandan
English Language Centre
University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra
Sultanate of Oman
Corresponding author Email: ckodhandaraman@gmail.com

 

Recived: 2/10/2022                 Accepted: 5/2/2022                    Published:7/1/2022

 

Abstract:
The present quantitative research study investigates students’ perceptions of the use and efficacy of error correction symbols on written drafts. The study is significant because it has pedagogical implications for teachers, students, and policymakers.  It answers the pertinent research question “whether the use of error correction symbols on students’ written drafts is helpful for students in improving their writing accuracy or not”.  A structured questionnaire was distributed to students (N=396) via Moodle LMS to collect data. Study participants were General Foundation Program students in the English Language Centre of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra, Sultanate of Oman.  The findings of this study suggest that the students found the use of error correction symbols on their written drafts practical, helpful, and effective in improving their writing accuracy.  Nevertheless, a similar research study needs to be conducted in other higher educational institutions in Oman to sustain the policy directions.
Keywords: accuracy, efficacy, error correction, feedback, students’ perceptions, writing

Cite as:   Chinnathambi, K.,  Al Harthi, J.S.H.S., & Anandan, L. (2021). Students’ Perceptions of the Use and Efficacy of Error Correction Symbols on Written Drafts: A Study at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences Ibra, Oman. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Proceedings of  KUST, Iraq Conference 2022  (1) 31-43.  DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/KUST.3

References

Al Ajmi, A. A. S. (2015). The effect of written corrective feedback on Omani students’ accuracy in the use of English prepositions.
Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 6(1), 61-71.  http://www.journals.aiac.org.au/index.php/alls/article/view/617/556

Al Harrasi, S. N. (2019). The effectiveness of direct and indirect written corrective feedback in improving the grammatical accuracy of Omani EFL learners (Doctoral dissertation, University of Stirling, 2019). University of Stirling. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/29846

Bahrouni, F., & Tuzlukova, V. (2019). Investigating teachers and students’ perceptions of written corrective feedback in the context of tertiary education in Oman.  Language Testing in Focus, 1, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.32038/ltf.2019.01.01

Cahyono, B. Y. (2016). The Efficacy of Comprehensive Corrective Feedback in Improving Grammatical Accuracy of EFL Learners’ Writing Pariyanto Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel Surabaya Indonesia. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 3(6), 51–59. Retrieved from www.ijllnet.com

Chinnathambi K, Anandan L, & Sayegh N (2021). Students’ Perceptions on the Use of Direct Feedback on Written Drafts: A Study at the University of Technology and Applies Sciences-Ibra, Oman. Biosc.Biotech.Res.Comm.14 (8) Special Issue, 76-80.            http://dx.doi.org/10.21786/bbrc/14.8.19

Corder, S. P. (1967). The Significance of Learners’ Errors.  International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 5, 161-170. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/iral.1967.5.1-4.161

Farid, S., & Samad, A. A. (2012). Effects of Different Kind of Direct Feedback on Students’ Writing. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 66, 232–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.11.265

Hyland, F. (2003). Focusing on Form: Student Engagement with Teacher Feedback. System, 31(2), 217-230.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S0346-251X(03)00021-6

Jamalinesari, A., Rahimi, F., Gowhary, H., & Azizifar,A. (2015).The effects of teacher written direct vs. indirect feedback on students’ writing.  Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences,192, 116123. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.018

Khadawardi, H. A. (2020). The Effect of Implicit Corrective Feedback on English Writing of International Second Language Learners. English Language Teaching, 14(1), 123. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n1p123

Ng, L. L., & Ishak, S. N. A. (2018). Instructor’s Direct and Indirect Feedback: How do they Impact Learners’ Written Performance? 3L The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 24(3), 95–110. https://doi.org/10.17576/3l-2018-2403-08

Liu, Y. (2008). The Effects of Error Feedback in Second Language Writing. Arizona Working Papers in SLA & Teaching, 15, 65–79.               https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/AZSLAT/article/view/21254

Tago, N. (2021). Preferences and Perceptions of Students of English-as-a-Foreign Language (EFL) on Written Error Correction: Bases for a Developmental Program. Oman Journal of ELT. 6(1), 1-15
https://www.ict.edu.om/resources/ELC/pdf/Oman-Journal-of-ELT_09-09-2021.pdf

Trabelsi, S. (2018). Comparing the General Foundation Programme’s English Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices Regarding Written Corrective Feedback in an Omani EFL Context. International Journal of Language and Linguistics, 5(4), 36–46.
https://doi.org/10.30845/ijll.v5n4p5

Truscott, J. (1999). The Case for “The Case Against Grammar Correction in L2 Writing Classes”: A Response to Ferris. Journal of Second Language Writing, 8(2), 111-122.   https://doi.org/10.1016/S1060-3743(99)80124-6

Westmacott, A. (2017). Direct vs. indirect written corrective feedback: Student perceptions. Íkala, revista de lenguaje y cultura,
22
(1), 17-32.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.ikala.v22n01a02

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tumblr
Reddit
Email
StumbleUpon
Digg
Received: 2/10/2022
Accepted: 5/2/2022 
Published: 7/1/2022 
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1289-9290
https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/KUST.3 

Dr. Kodhandaraman Chinnathambi is a Lecturer in English at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra, Oman.  He received his PhD in Canadian Literature from the University of Madras, India. He is a member of Board of Directors of TESOL Oman.  Also, he is the Editor of Oman Journal of ELT. His area of interest includes ELT, Theory, and Literature.
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-1289-9290

Jahad said Al Harthi is the Head of section of Curriculum and Teaching Methods in ELC at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra. She graduated from the University of Queensland with a master’s degree in Applied Sciences in the field of TESOL Studies. She is interested in EFL students’ motivation and assessment. ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5407-3198 

Latha Anandan is a Lecturer in English at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences-Ibra, Oman.  She received her M.A. and M.Phil. from the University of Madras and CELTA from the British Council, Oman. Her area of interest includes ELT, Literature, and Feminism. ORCID ID: 0000-0003-33849-6654